YOU ARE AMAZING! At the end of 2013, the Fundraising and Finance Team set a goal to raise $10,000 online. You gave $17,650, exceeding our goal by almost double! Overall, you gave $85,860… and counting! THANK YOU for donating your time, skills, resources, and money to keep our movement for trans liberation and racial and economic […]
Calling all Artists: Submit your work to Small Works for Big Change!
Artists, dreamers, co-conspirators, submit your art to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project’s 9th annual Small Works for Big Change! Small Works for Big Change is an art auction and benefit that raises money to support SRLP’s crucial work to provide free legal services and build movement power with trans and gender nonconforming low-income and people […]
Poetry from PAC – “Dear Mama”
Through poetry, PAC Member Lady Doll responds to familial reactions to her coming out as trans. “Dear Mama,” by Lady Doll. Why punish me for your confusion? Why am I a faggot? Because you can’t have it? Why beat me, like it’s going to change me? Wake up! Because you can’t change me […]
Volunteer with SRLP to plan Small Works for Big Change!
SRLP is looking for event coordination volunteers for our annual art benefit, Small Works for Big Change. Volunteers should have 3-10 hours available per week now through March 8, 2014. Tasks needed include: Coordinating art submissions Promoting the event Day-of event coordiantion (set up, coat check, bartending, wrapping art, etc.) Volunteers should have access to […]
No One is Disposable: Everyday Practices of Prison Abolition
In a series of four short online videos produced by Barnard Center for Research on Women, SRLP’s Reina Gossett and Dean Spade discuss prison abolition as a political framework, exploring why this is a top issue for those committed to supporting trans and gender-nonconforming people. These videos look at how to build societies where the […]
Jakaelynn’s “Reverse Gestation,” and a poem
Heartfelt and passionate, these letters from Jakaelynn demonstrate her enormous capacity to remain a strong, transitioning trans woman while locked up (with a little help from her friends, and SRLP). “Reverse Gestation and the pains of a transgendered bitch!” by Jakaelynn Rae Shakely, Aka: “Pheanoix”. For twenty-five years I’ve lived what I now call “reverse […]
“Prison, A World of its Own” – MyAsia recounts her experiences
When you’re a trans woman incarcerated in a men’s facility, just being left alone can seem nearly impossible. MyAsia aka “Lady Doll” tells us how things work inside, and that positive moments can still occur. “Prison, A World of its Own,” by MyAsia Kim’Bella London. If it’s one thing I hate, it’s PRISON! I’m MyAsia […]
Correctional Officers Live by their Own Rules, Says One PAC Member
What happens when C.O.’s don’t want to do their jobs? PAC Member S. Davidson chronicled the incident that contributed to his proposal of an internal, “entity of oversight” which monitors the behaviors of guards and officials. “A Blatant Malfeasance,” by S. Davidson. On January 10th, 2013, at or around 12:45 pm, while at Five Points […]
Out of the Hell-Hole, into the Calming Storm – Letter from a former PAC Member
“Out of the Hell-Hole into the Calming Storm,” by Grace DeTrevarah. Hey Family: It’s me again. Grace…I would like to first say that’s it’s so refreshing to be Out of Corrections and into the “World” where being a Transgender was the focus of my movement. It continues to be so fitting to be out of […]
Coming Home… It’s Almost Surreal! – Letter from a former PAC Member
“Coming Home… It’s Almost Surreal!” by Grace DeTrevarah. Hey Family… My name is Grace. I have been home for a short while. I was incarcerated in Wallkill, Fishkill and other facilities of Medium status. Being a Black Transgender woman in a Male facility with a feminine and womanly appearance was problematic from intake at Downstate […]